Government of California breaks away from US Federal Government to propose
Anti-Global Warming measures

ATCA Briefings

ATCA: The Asymmetric Threats Contingency Alliance
is a philanthropic expert initiative founded in 2001 to understand and
to address complex global challenges. ATCA conducts collective Socratic
dialogue on global opportunities and threats arising from climate chaos,
radical poverty, organised crime, extremism, informatics, nanotechnology,
robotics, genetics, artificial intelligence and financial systems. Present
membership of ATCA is by invitation only and has over 5,000 distinguished
members: including several from the House of Lords, House of Commons,
EU Parliament, US Congress & Senate, G10's Senior Government officials
and over 1,500 CEOs from financial institutions, scientific corporates
and voluntary organisations as well as over 750 Professors from academic
centres of excellence worldwide.

The views presented by individual contributors are not necessarily
representative of the views of ATCA, which is neutral. Please do not forward
or use the material circulated without permission and full attribution.

[Please note that the views presented by individual contributors are not
necessarily representative of the views of ATCA, which is neutral. ATCA conducts
collective Socratic dialogue on global opportunities and threats.]

The State of California is to impose broad caps on its GreenHouse-Gas (GHG)
emissions under a landmark bill that marks a clear break with the US Federal
Government and which backers hope will become a national model not just for
America but also for other nations across the world. Republican Governor Arnold
Schwarzenegger, who helped assemble the plan, called Wednesday's agreement
"an example for other states and nations to follow as the fight against
climate change continues." California is America's most populous state
and it is the world's 12th largest emitter of greenhouse gases. It could suffer
dire consequences if global temperatures increase by only a few degrees Centigrade.

In the absence of US Federal Government action, much of the effort to combat
climate chaos has been focused at the individual states' level. More than
100 climate-related bills have been held up in the US Congress in Washington
DC, including one that calls for a US national cap on GreenHouse Gas (GHG)
emissions.

The agreement was announced simultaneously by the California Governor's Office
and Democrat leaders in the Senate and Assembly. It gives the Governor a major
environmental victory as he seeks re-election this Autumn. The bill states
that the California Air Resources Board -- an 11-member panel appointed by
the Governor -- must identify "market-based compliance mechanisms"
that might be used as part of its plan to reach the cap. The plan came after
weeks of difficult negotiations and was sent to the California state Senate,
which approved it late Wednesday with a 23-14 vote. If approved by the Democrat-controlled
Assembly, which is expected, the bill would then go to the Governor's desk.

The bill requires California's major industries -- such as utility plants,
oil and gas refineries, and cement kilns -- to reduce their emissions, ie,
carbon dioxide and other GHGs, by an estimated 25 percent by 2020. The cap
was praised by environmentalists as a step toward fighting global climate
change. It was criticized by some business leaders, who say it will increase
their costs and force them to scale back their California operations. Republicans
blasted the bill, saying the bill would have little effect and make California
an expensive place to do business. "This bill is the road to economic
ruin for California," said Senator Dennis Hollingsworth.

One of the key mechanisms designed to drive the reductions is a market programme
that will allow businesses to buy, sell and trade emission credits with other
companies. California has led the United States in reducing greenhouse gas
emissions through its renewable energy policies and a 2004 law reducing tailpipe
emissions from vehicles.

Ten other states are poised to enact California's auto rule, while more than
20 states have required utilities to eventually generate some power from renewable
sources such as solar, wind and geothermal. The bill includes a so-called
"safety valve" sought by Mr Schwarzenegger that would allow California's
Governor to delay the emission-cap mandate if the state is hit with a natural
disaster, terrorist attack or some other emergency.

In addition to the emissions cap, California lawmakers voted to approve related
global warming legislation. That bill would prohibit the state from entering
long-term contracts with any out-of-state utility that fails to reduce its
carbon dioxide emissions. The bill passed by a 43-30 vote in the Assembly.
It goes to the California Senate for final approval.

[ENDS]

We look forward to your further thoughts, observations and views. Thank you.

Best wishes

For and on behalf of DK Matai, Chairman, Asymmetric Threats Contingency Alliance
(ATCA)

ATCA: The Asymmetric Threats Contingency Alliance
is a philanthropic expert initiative founded in 2001 to understand and to
address complex global challenges. ATCA conducts collective Socratic dialogue
on global opportunities and threats arising from climate chaos, radical poverty,
organised crime, extremism, informatics, nanotechnology, robotics, genetics,
artificial intelligence and financial systems. Present membership of ATCA
is by invitation only and has over 5,000 distinguished members: including
several from the House of Lords, House of Commons, EU Parliament, US Congress
& Senate, G10's Senior Government officials and over 1,500 CEOs from financial
institutions, scientific corporates and voluntary organisations as well as
over 750 Professors from academic centres of excellence worldwide.

The views presented by individual contributors are not necessarily representative
of the views of ATCA, which is neutral. Please do not forward or use the material
circulated without permission and full attribution.